Gas leak causes evacuation in Picton

Fire and Emergency spraying the leaking tank.
Fire and Emergency spraying the leaking tank. Photo credit: Supplied

A gas leak which forced the evacuation of Port Marlborough in Picton is now under control.

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) was called to the port at 6:10am on Friday after KiwiRail reported an LPG tank leaking.

An 800-metre exclusion zone was put in place by KiwiRail until FENZ technicians could isolate the leak.

The leak has now been found, and KiwiRail chief operating officer Todd Moyle says the situation is under control.

Fire and Emergency staff on site.
Fire and Emergency staff on site. Photo credit: Supplied.

"The fire service has been able to access the container and we believe they have isolated the leaking valve," he told Newshub. 

Two FENZ crews attended the scene and sprayed the tank with water to contain the leak.

The wider industrial area surrounding the port was also evacuated. 

Moyle says once the gas has dissipated, people can return to the port.  

There are no reports of injuries from the leak.